Greetings from sunny (politically crazy) state of Florida. I am at a KOA “parking lot, with swimming pool,” aka “RV Resort”, in Fort Pierce, FL on the Atlantic coast. I haven’t written anything in months, so this is very much overdue. After hip replacement surgery and recovery in December with sister Becky and brother-in-law Chuck, and visits with Mom, I am back on the Road2Reinvention.
I dreamed Meryl Streep would play me in the movie when I began my journey. NAUGHT. I soon discovered there are thousands of women RVing alone, and I wasn’t that unusual. So, as I start my seventh year on the road, the question I am asked most is, ‘what next?’ What will I do when I no longer live in a 20’ Airstream travel trailer? Where will I live and what will I do?
I am open to suggestions.
In 2022 I did my third cross-country trip to visit west coast friends, I got as far as Tacoma, WA. It was my ‘visit everyone I have known, but don’t ask to stay with them’. The beauty of an Airstream, I bring my own bed.
Friends:
Sarah-Little Rock. AR
Phyllis & Chris, AZ (golf)
Kim-Sebastopol, CA
Harriet,Eureka, CA
Kristen-Eugene, OR (college pal)
Cathy-Portland, OR (college pal)
Mary-Portland, OR (Mom’s pal from Altadena, CA)
Mary, Bruce and Lydia, Tacoma, WA.
I am so fortunate to have so many wonderful friends.
2023 is looking good. I am enjoying Florida friends, beaches, and golf courses until May.
In May I will return to serve as volunteer camp host at J.C. Cooper State NC Park at the Kerr Lake reservoir along the border of North Carolina and Virginia. The John H. Kerr Dam was constructed between 1947 and 1952 to produce hydroelectricity and to provide flood control. There are no natural lakes in NC, only reservoirs. It is a quick drive south to Chapel Hill, where Mom and Erv live in assisted living, and Becky and Chuck are in Cary, NC..
June and July will be a new experience at Jack Hill State Park, Georgia where I will volunteer as a golf course host at the Brazell’s Creek Golf Course. I will be cleaning golf carts, checking in golfers, etc. Free camping and golf! Can’t beat that. Seven GA state campgrounds also have golf courses! I might have to visit all seven.
August is for returning to Washington, D.C., my former hood.
In September, I will return to my favorite campground First Landing State Park at Virginia Beach, VA. I will be one of three campground hosts there in September and October. I hope all my D.C. friends will come visit! The beach is lovely after Labor Day.
Still hoping to find a fellow camper, who plays golf and lives in an RV. But, if not, what should I do next?
Suggestions welcome.
Thanks for the update. It is interesting to learn there are so many women who have adopted your fascinating lifestyle. I daresay that you are undoubtedly the most special of all of them.
Your itinerary looks sound – another year of living in your favorite places, playing golf, and helping others by hosting in campgrounds. And all with Maggie. How could it be better?
Congrats on the new hip. It will serve you well. Hugs to you and little Maggie!
Xoxox
Cathy
PS. Why didn’t we take a picture when you were here? Duh!
While you are in Fort Pierce stop at the Fort Pierce inlet state park they take voluntears up to 4 to help them. it’s a marvelous place to be 200 acres on the ocean and closes at 5pm so all yours after that.
The elks is right down the street a block off the main drag and has a wonderful lunch and dinner menu with very friendly people most of which play golf.
Alison,
So weird — just this morning I logged on to your website thinking I hadn’t gotten any email alerts from you in a while and wondering how you were, and then I get one this afternoon! Great to hear from you. Congrats on the new hip, and keep up with your PT exercises. Sounds like you’re doing well, getting in lots of friend visits and golf. I’ll pencil in a get-together for August when you’re back our way. As for what’s next, it would be great if you eventually settled back in DC, but I have a feeling you’ll pick a warmer, less expensive place with lots of golf nearby. 🙁 Besides the standard apartments/condos, or parking Scout at some RV/trailer park on a more permanent basis, there are lots of possibilities out there though: tiny houses and ADUs, co-housing, senior coops, shared housing, ….